On The Fly: Kris Dunn Puts NBA On Hold, Stays At Providence

Kris Dunn of New London has a bright NBA future. It just won't start this year. Dunn will return to Providence College for his junior year, even though he figured to land in the middle of the first round in this year's NBA draft. Dunn, a 6-foot-3 point guard, had a breakout season for the Friars, averaging 15.6 points, 7.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds. Dunn led PC to the NCAA Tournament, and his return gives Ed Cooley's team a shot at another berth in 2016. Can he improve his draft stock? Dunn has the opportunity to play himself into the lottery.

Simsbury native and Westminster graduate Tommy Cross wasn't in the Providence Bruins' lineup for Game 1 of their series against the Wolf Pack at the XL Center. But with veteran Steve Eminger out with a knee injury, Cross will be skating in front of his family and friends Saturday night. Cross will be in the lineup for Game 2 as Providence looks to even the series. Cross, by the way, won the Bruins' fan favorite award this season. ... Tiger Woods announced Friday on Twitter that he will be in The Players Championship field next month at TPC Sawgrass, where he has won twice. Woods tweeted that he's "hoping for a repeat of 2013," when he last won at the course. He tied for 17th at the Masters this month, returning from a two-month break. When he tees off at Sawgrass, he'll be coming off a month off. Woods is also expected to play at the Memorial in early June, before the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in Washington.

If there was any question about the Jets' draft day approach, general manager Mike Maccagnan cleared things up Friday. Speaking to reporters at his pre-draft press conference, Maccagnan said he expects to speak to all five teams with picks in front of the Jets before the NFL draft begins next Thursday. But he also said he's interested in compiling picks and is not opposed to moving down in the draft, so maybe the Jets aren't willing to pay big for a chance to draft Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Stay tuned. ... Already suspended for 10 games for a domestic abuse charge, Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy reportedly had a "verbal altercation" with a teammate during workouts Friday. Fox Sports reported Hardy and defensive end Davon Coleman had to be separated by teammates during a conditioning session. ... UConn vs., Syracuse? Yes, please. The old Big East foes are close to finalizing a home-and-home football series in 2016 and 2018, news first reported by ESPN's Brett McMurphy. They last met in 2012, a 40-10 UConn loss at Syracuse. The Huskies hosted the Orange in 2011 and won, 28-21. ... Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has invited every college football coach in the country — every coach! — to participate in his program's camp in June. Most coaches want to keep competitors away as they host the best high school players in their area, but Harbaugh is taking a different view: "Our vision for the University of Michigan football camp is to bring together players and coaches in all different level from around the country to provide maximum exposure for our great game of football," his invitation on Twitter read. And the hashtag on his tweet? #ExposureU.